SL to become first tropical country to eradicate Malaria

November 18, 2024

Development - Provincial

SL to become first tropical country to eradicate Malaria ^Featured

April 21, 2015

In another achievement of Sri Lanka’s free health service, it was slated to be declared the first tropical country in the world that had eradicated Malaria, by end of 2015, by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Director General Health Services, Dr. Palitha Mahipala said this declaration was possible as not even a single case of Malaria was reported since 2012 October.

If Sri Lanka is lucky enough to remain malaria free up to October 2015, the country will be eligible to apply to the World Health Organization for malaria-free certification, Dr. Mahipala added.

Addressing a media conference held at Government Information Department today (21) Dr. Mahipala said it would be a great feat in the country’s heath service if the WHO declares Sri Lanka, Malaria free, as this remarkable success was achieved rapidly and largely during a protracted civil war.

Sri Lanka in 2012 recorded the lowest number of malaria cases since 1963. The number of malaria cases has declined significantly over the last 12 years from 210,039 in 2000 to 23 cases in 2012.